I love to teach writing. Being able to open up the minds of kids and introduce them to the ability they have to create anything they can dream about and put it down on paper is so rewarding to both the student and the teacher. We write about everything and I have clipboards hanging in […]
students
Posted inUncategorized
Parent Tips: Teaching Money, Money, Money – Strategies for 2nd Graders
Parents are often surprised when their academically bright students struggle with learning money. There is really only one way to master money. It is to use it. Counting money is the math skill we all use every day. Money practice and knowledge help build numerous math skills. Calculating ways to pay for something builds additional […]
Posted inHigh School, Literacy, Uncategorized
Secure Your Oxygen Mask First in the Classroom
If you’ve ever flown on a commercial airline flight, you are well aware of the instructions that occur before the airplane approaches the runway. It may sound something like, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for flying XX airlines…please fasten your seatbelt and make sure that your tray and seat are in the upright position…emergency exits are here, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, How to Fix Education, Opinion
The Resource Desert: Schools in the 21st Century
Dry. Thirsty. Tired. Beaten-down. Hopeless. Stranded. Barren. Arid. Scorched. Desolate. Endless. These words can describe a desert, but they can also describe some of our nation’s resources for education. Taxpayers / community members (their demonym of choice depends on how angry they are) will be the first to tell you that. Property taxes – the most […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Instructional Coach Files, Instructional Strategies, Middle School, Professional Development
The Problem in Urban Schools- Stop Teaching to the Test
“I mean even though I taught all of the standards last semester, but I don’t feel like my kids learned anything!” These were the words one of the teachers who I support as an Instructional Coach said to me as we sat in her classroom after school discussed all things teaching and learning. This wasn’t […]
Posted inEducational Apps, High School, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Outdated Practices With Google Docs
It is a relief to find a few digital tools that continuously serve learners despite the accelerated nature of change in technology. Google Docs allows me to meet the varied needs and writing levels of almost all students. It gives me wings, allowing me to reach past classroom walls and time constraints, to converse and edit […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Cultural Sensitivity – Being Tolerant, Teaching Tolerance
The highest result of education is tolerance. — Helen Keller As the demographics of the United States continues to change over the next several decades it becomes exceedingly important for teachers to become culturally sensitive to their students. Knowing the cultural backgrounds of your students will make communicating with parents easier. It will also make […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, Opinion, Parents
Food For Thought: Breakfast and Student Success
I’m an anomaly. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I missed breakfast. Sure, at 5’11” and 200 lbs, you can say that I haven’t missed many meals lately. However, there is an important educational circumstance that I was placed in to learn just how important breakfast was to student success – and one […]